Sermon Text for December 31, 2023 - "Into the New Year as God's Chosen Ones"

 “Into the New Year as God’s Chosen Ones”

December 31, 2023

 

            Dear brothers and sisters, grace and peace be to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

            It is fitting that the last sermon for this year happens to be on the last day of this year, and we are looking forward with hope to what God has planned for us. In this past year, we have spent quite a bit of time recovering and rebounding from the damage caused by the pandemic and related events. But now, God’s Word tells us exactly what to do and what direction to go in this coming year, and we would do well to heed what God says to us. Today’s sermon will be focusing exclusively on our Second Reading from Colossians, and you are invited you to turn back to page 1834 if you wish to follow along for reference. Also, how everything is presented today will certainly be with a greater sense of urgency and directness than is usual; we are at a point where we definitely are to grasp hold of the gift God is giving us today to be able to continue on in a positive, hopeful direction. One other thing I want to make clear is that everything I’m about to say is not only for our own church family, but for everyone in every church, in every place. If anyone listening or watching has any additional points to make as to how we can go into this coming year following God’s direction, please feel free to email me, comment on Facebook, or on this sermon text once it is posted on the website. For those of you who will be taking notes as well, each point will be presented individually.

1.     Clothe Yourself. We often put quite a bit of time into trying to decide what we’re going to wear each Sunday morning. And certainly that is something we can be concerned about. But now we can honestly ask ourselves, what sort of other things am I bringing into church with me each Sunday, that I am clothing myself with? What sort of attitude do I have, and what do I intend to do towards those with whom I worship? Paul urges us to clothe ourselves with “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” These are the things we also ought to be “wearing” – and demonstrating – when we come to church each Sunday – compassion and understanding for each other’s lives and situations; kindness in how we speak and act towards each other; humility in how we conduct ourselves; gentleness in how we treat each other in every situation; and patience in how we relate to each other. 

2.     Forgive and Start Over. Perhaps we are still carrying grievances and grudges from the past year, or the past few years. Yet Paul encourages us, “Bear with one another and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgives you.” Doubtless, there have been things that have happened that have disrupted trust and caused suspicion. Words have been spoken, actions have been done. But now, it is time to work on repairing and restoring relationships, especially so we can be able to worship, fellowship, and serve together powerfully and effectively again. Forgiveness does not mean pretending as though whatever has happened never happened, but instead acknowledging that it has happened, resolving to no longer let it affect our relationships, and seeking, where possible, to restore anything that has been damaged.

3.     Let Peace and Unity Rule. In order to move forward into this new year, this especially ought to be our goal. Conflict especially can damage our peace and unity, and can hamper any progress God wants to make us have. And one of the greatest determinants for how much peace and unity we have among ourselves is how we we speak to each other, and about each other. Talebearing, gossip, and insinuations ought to have no place in our conversations among each other, or about each other. Furthermore, anything which threatens our peace and unity, whether negative attitudes or divisive ideologies, also ought to have no place among us in this coming year. Instead, we are to focus on being positive and hopeful, especially looking forward, anticipating, and discerning through prayer and discussion, what God can do, and will do for us. Also, this is demonstrated in what we do when new people and families come to worship with us: if we are welcoming, and engage new people among us in conversation, and are friendly towards new people, then they will want to come back again. Also, we are encouraged to invite people, our friends and neighbors, to come and worship with us, and feel welcome in our church family.

4.     Keep Studying and Singing. The Bible is the source of all our teaching, and therefore we are to continue to hear, read, and study it regularly. In fact, we are encouraged, even urged, to study God’s Word even more than we have this previous year, because it is through reading and hearing the Word regularly that we hear the truth not only of what God wants us to believe, but how He wants us to regard others – mainly with love, gentleness, and kindness. We are also encouraged, as we are able, to commit to attending the preaching of God’s Word more regularly in this coming year, so we can hear what God tells us more frequently. For presenting the Word, we can utilize, as we did before, years ago, new, inventive, and creative ways of presenting the lessons from the Bible each week, especially those which are more interactive and engaging, using all kinds of props and other methods. We can also embrace new resources and methods for reaching out, especially to reach the youth, children, and families of our community. We also can continue to welcome new songs and ways of singing, especially those songs, both traditional and contemporary, which we find inspiring, and which God has used to speak to us, sustain us, and revive us. We can also continue to let those of us in our church family who have particular vocal and musical gifts and talents use their gifts in leading us in song and worship, and encourage those who play any and all kinds of instruments to use them to accompany us in song.

5.     Do Everything in Jesus’ Name. Everything we are striving for, our goals, events, donation drives, even our fundraisers, are to be with one objective in mind: reaching people for Jesus. Yes, we exist as a church family for those who have been longtime members, and whose families have been well established as part of the church. But we also, as we were doing well with before covid, are to be actively reaching out, inviting, and bringing new people into our church family. We offer not only friendship and fellowship, but a personal relationship with Jesus – Jesus, who can bless beyond measure, help even in impossibility, heal sickness, save from sin, and give a new life to everyone who follows Him and believes in Him. We can also a safe, accepting place for people to focus only on worshipping and following Jesus, and being in relationship and friendship with others who are supportive, acceptive, and encouraging – as Jesus Himself is. Our unique sort of tradition and atmosphere can also be what someone is looking for – but, again, we are to be welcoming and inviting in order to enhance the positive experience people have worshipping with us.

As we stand on the threshold of 2024, may God bless us with the ability to do all these things, in His name and on His behalf. Let us therefore commit ourselves to following His direction for growth and mission, and commit ourselves to Him, giving thanks this whole year for all He has done, and will do for us, and letting Him dwell in us and among us richly again.

            Now may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.

12/31/2023 Full Worship Service - First Sunday after Christmas

Sermon Text for December 24, 2023 - "The Impossible God"

 “The Impossible God”

December 24, 2023

 

            Dear brothers and sisters, grace and peace be to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

            One of the many benefits from substitute teaching I’ve been able to reap is, even as I’ve been teaching, I’ve also been learning. And, one of the many things I’ve learned is how much I actually really enjoy Math and Science. 

Let me explain: when I was younger, I didn’t think much of Math or Science, because I didn’t really understand the practical applications of either – especially Math. I’ve gotten older, however, and especially as I’ve gotten to be able to teach basic concepts of Math and Science to students, I’ve realized how much Math and Science are a part of our everyday lives. Music, for example, is based entirely on Math and Science, for measuring beats, tempo, intervals, tones, acoustics, and harmony. Ever constant new discoveries in Science have enabled us not only to live better and more convenient lives, but have also challenged us to think beyond what we know and experiment to see what else remains to be discovered. Sports are even based on Mathematics and Science – of course numbers are used to keep score, but also the standard measurements on the field, court, or rink, and shapes which are on them; and to the laws of Physics which govern how hard and how high to kick or hit a ball or other object.

            All of this has also helped me discover another wonderful truth: I’ve come to realize, more and more, how much God has a hand in every subject we learn about. History shows us how, time and time again, God has intervened, and caused world events to be directed towards where He wants them to go. Social Studies also show us not only how God has intervened and set things in order throughout history, but how He desire to arrange society, so that we, and all people, can live together in peace, harmony, and understanding. Through Science, God shows us the miracle of His creation: no element, particle, atom, or chemical evolved purely by chance: it had to have an origin somewhere, as well as a plan for it to turn out the way it did, and that origin and plan came from the mind and hands of God. As Isaac Newton once said, “This most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being.” It is also because of Science that God has given us all the good gifts of His creation, and everything we need to live – food from the earth, livestock from the fields, safely-built houses in which to live, air conditioning and furnaces to keep those houses cool and warm, and modes of automated transportation to get us places. Mathematics demonstrates the fundamental order which God has set in place, since Math has a series of consistent and predictable laws and rules – which govern all other Sciences, and even the Arts and Humanities. Indeed, as Galileo said, “Mathematics is the alphabet with which God has written the universe.” All things, whatever they may be, are subject to God and His command, because He has set them in motion and ordered them a certain way.

Also, what studying History, the Humanities, the Arts, Social Studies, Economics, Political Science, Science, Math, and Sports show us is how interconnected all things are, and how inseparable one thing is from another, and especially shows how interconnected all people are to each other in many different ways. This, again, is all part of God’s plan: God has created us, and all things, to be in healthy relationship with each other, and depend on each other. We depend on our plants and trees to give us food, shade, and beauty; and they in turn depend on us for nourishment. We depend on animals to give us companionship and food, and they in turn also depend on us for proper care. What all this also shows is that Math and Science are far from being in conflict with God’s plan, or even with our Christian faith. Indeed, many of the greatest scientists and mathematicians were both devout Christians and people of faith in general, who gave God the credit for all the discoveries they were able to make. As Louis Pasteur said, “The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the Creator. Science brings men nearer to God.” 

            All that being said, what we also learn in the Bible today is how God frequently operates outside of His own laws and rules to accomplish great and mighty wonders, especially to help and save us. Since He is the almighty the only-wise God, He cannot be bound, contained, or limited by any laws, or even by any logic. We especially see this in our Gospel Reading. One of the many non-negotiables of our Christian faith is that Jesus was born of a virgin. This itself, it could be said, violates the laws of Science, because how could it be possible for a child to be conceived outside of the normal biological process of conception? And yet, that is exactly what God does: by causing His Son to grow in the womb of Mary in a way where her virginity remains intact, He shows not only that His Son is God, but that He is able to accomplish the impossible, and overcome all odds, even violate all rules, to do what He wants for us. As Gabriel tells Mary in verse 37, “For nothing is impossible with God.” Furthermore, it also violates the laws of Science to say that someone could be both a human being and the almighty divine God at the same time. Yet, that is exactly who Jesus is, fully God and fully human. Just as God has created all of us in creation to be interconnected in unbroken relationship, He also is in interconnected relationship with us. When that relationship was unfortunately broken by sin, He sent Jesus to restore that connection: by becoming one of us, Jesus is God who is inseparably intertwined with us. Also, Jesus has come to restore broken relationships between people, and restore them, and us, to the harmony and peace for which God created us in the first place. He does this by trying to bring all people into a relationship with Him, where He alone is acknowledged and Lord, God, and King, and all other divisions, whether of denomination, race, politics, economics, background, or anything else, disappear because of putting allegiance to Him first. Which may seem completely impossible right now – but when Jesus comes again, He will make it all possible because He alone will reign over the nations of the earth; as Paul says in our Second Reading from Romans, all nations will believe and obey Him. And, just as He will be Lord and God among us in the future, He is still Lord God among us even now. He is truly “Emmanuel,” God with us – He shares our humanity, and even shared in our suffering and death, by living a perfect sinless life, dying on a cross as a sacrifice for our sins. Then, He showed His almighty divinity by rising again, defeating death, and winning eternal life for everyone who believes in Him. He reigns forever as King, of the House of David, as God promises to David in our First Reading from 2 Samuel. Also, in our First Reading, God, speaking through the Prophet Nathan, reminds David, and us, that God cannot be contained – whether by a building, or any other confinement, God cannot be limited, nor does He need anything to mark where He is. Even though we gather each week to worship Him here at this church, He is not only here – He is everywhere we are. The Holy Spirit continues to speak to us and gives us power through the Bible, and further gives us the power of God through Baptism and Holy Communion – using ordinary things of creation, which normally operate according to natural laws, to accomplish supernatural and extraordinary things. The Bible especially, because it is the Word of God, has the power to create, give life, sustain, restore, and revive – which is why we always ought to hear, read, and study it regularly, and engage it not merely as an ordinary book, but as the mechanism by which God works His power in us. The Bible ultimately, as Paul says, is the Gospel and proclamation of Jesus Christ, revealed through both the prophetic writings and the story of Jesus – which begins with His birth, and continues on, because He lives eternally, and especially lives forever in us.

            Today, then, Jesus wants to come into your life again. He created all things, and set all things in order, and now He wants to reign supreme in your heart and life again. If you want to experience a real, living relationship with someone who loves and accepts you unconditionally, then you are invited to say, “Come, Lord Jesus. As you came into this world as a baby in Bethlehem, born from a virgin, come into my heart again. Come and bind yourself to me, and never let me be separated from you.” If you, right now, are experiencing any kind of conflict, whether in yourself, or with another person, then you are invited to say, “Come, Lord Jesus, and bring peace to my heart and mind. Come and resolve the conflict and tension I’m having to deal with, and help me to forgive – whether it’s myself or another person, help me to forgive and give all things to your power.” Even if there is something in your life you think is impossible, that you can’t handle or solve, Jesus is the God of the impossible – and will help overcome whatever you find impossible, if you give all control over to Him. And because He is God with us – and with you – Jesus will come to you, and be with you. Be ready for Jesus to do the impossible – because nothing is too impossible for Him.

            Now may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 2023

12/24/2023 Full Worship Service - Fourth Sunday in Advent

Sermon Text for December 10, 2023 - "Rekindled"

 “Rekindled”

December 10, 2023

 

            Dear brothers and sisters, grace and peace be to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

            As mentioned earlier, this coming Thursday, the 14^th, will be the twentieth anniversary of the day on which, only and entirely by the grace of God, I was ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament. Now, December 14^th, 2003, also happened to be the day Saddam Hussein was captured during the Invasion of Iraq. Coincidence? You be the judge. Anyway, I would be lying if I said that the last twenty years of ordained ministry been smooth sailing all the way: within that twenty years, I’ve already had to endure a wide and dizzying variety of changes, challenges, and conflicts; and even periods where I’ve wondered, often aloud, what my real purpose as a pastor or minister is. And, after twenty years, the answer actually seems to be quite simple:

Give people Jesus. That’s it. A minister, by definition, is someone who attends to the needs of someone. And that is basically the job description in a nutshell: meet people’s needs by giving them Jesus. Again, the official title for an ordained pastor is Minister of Word and Sacrament. And both preaching the Word and administering the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion have one purpose: to give Jesus to people. Preaching the Word meets people’s needs both by encouraging repentance from straying away from God’s will, as well as promising comfort to everyone who believes in Him. The Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion also provide this same assurance by being physical reminders and channels of the power and presence of God in our lives. I also want to emphasize that my ordination as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in no way implies that I possess greater spiritual power than any of us who are baptized, because each of us are giving the same Holy Spirit at Baptism, and are fed with the same spiritual power – the power of Jesus – through His body and blood in Holy Communion. While being a pastor also carries a certain amount of authority, that authority is only to be used to carry out the will of Jesus towards other people – that is, as Isaiah says in today’s First Reading, to feed the flock like a shepherd, especially with comfort; gather the lambs in his arms with love, compassion, forgiveness, and acceptance; carry them close to the heart, because we are all close to Jesus’ heart; and gently lead those who have young and are young. Being a pastor is being a friend and companion, walking alongside every person, both inside and outside the congregation, to, again according to the admonition of Isaiah, provide comfort to everyone, to let people know that God is with them, is on their side, and has saved them. Indeed, that is God, speaking through Isaiah, promises: that our hard service has been completed, and our sin has been paid for, by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, shedding His blood to cleanse us of our sins, dying and rising again so we may live forever. We have indeed received from the Lord’s hand double for all our sins, because we have received grace beyond measure and expectation, and all of our sins, past, present, and future, have been fully forgiven. It is because of this that we have the promise, the security, of knowing and believing that in every struggle, challenge, trouble, or conflict, we are never alone: God is always with us, fighting for us, winning victory for us. 

Also, each of us not only have this promise, but we are called to testify to this promise to everyone. Even though my job involves preparing a sermon every Sunday, mainly to explain what God is telling us in His Word each week, each one of us have the calling to testify. God says to us, “Cry out!” and we may very well ask, “What shall I cry?” Simple, actually: just as my calling is to proclaim the Word of God, each one of us also have the same calling – to proclaim the Word of God. We are to tell, and show, everyone, “Here is your God!” Here is your one true God, who has existed since before the beginning of time; who created, saves, and sustains everything; and who has revealed Himself in His Son. It is only through Jesus, the Son of God, that we can really know the one true God, and be saved through believing in Him. Here is also the one true God who reaches out to help and rescue all people in their time of need, whose love and acceptance is unconditional, and who never abandons or turns away anyone who asks Him for help. That is the unchanging truth we are to proclaim. Even despite all the other changes that have happened over the years, one thing has remained the same:

As Isaiah 40:8 says, “The word of our God stands forever.” Even in the midst of everything else that has changed and evolved, God’s Word has remained unchanged. The promises He offers in His Word also remain unchanged: that everyone who believes in Him, and in His Son as Lord, God, and Savior, has comfort, peace, forgiveness, security, assurance, and true love. If you want to have all these things today, then you are invited to invite Jesus into your heart again. Jesus Himself is the unchanging Word of God, unchanging because He is immortal, and He is the very expression of God’s unchanging nature: God is love, Jesus loves each of us, and that is something that will never change. He is the Word of God made flesh, who came to earth to carry out all the promises God made through the prophets; to fulfill the demands of the Law by living a perfect life; and to offer Himself as a spotless sacrifice to save all people from the power of sin and death. He is also the Word of God made flesh in that He demonstrates God’s will towards all people: a loving relationship - which, again, is the same purpose of ministry.

To kind of parse out a little bit more what we mean when we say, “ministry,” here are some helpful definitions, courtesy of a presentation found on Google Images:

-       Ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith.

-       Ministry is from the Greek word “diakoneo,” meaning “to serve.”

-       Ministry is service to God and to other people in His name.

To simplify it a bit, according to this definition of Ministry which was also found on Google, 

“Ministry is meeting another’s needs with the resources that God has given to you.” The main resource we have been given is the Word of God. We are also encouraged to study God’s Word daily and deeply, and find in it the promise of peace God gives to everyone who comes to Him looking for their needs to be met. And then, we are to give that peace from God by meeting the needs with the resources we have been given. This can be praying with someone; giving food to the hungry; clothing to those who need it; or even simply and kind and encouraging word to someone who needs to have their spirits lifted.

But what we are also doing, as Ministers, is not only bringing Jesus to people, but bringing people to Jesus. We are doing so because people need to be saved. Whether or not anyone chooses to accept it, God is the only one true God, He desires everyone to believe in Him and be saved, and He has planned for everything to head to a certain destiny.

Someday, as Peter reminds us in our Second Reading, the earth as we know it is going to be consumed by fire, and everything we see around us will come to an end. But the reason is because Jesus is going to be clearing aside this world, doing a complete demolition job, if you will, to make everything perfect. He will be uniting heaven and earth as one realm for His eternal Kingdom, and will bring an end to war, suffering, sickness, violence, hatred, and division, establishing love the foundation of His rule. Even though we are living in His Kingdom now, we are still waiting for the complete, perfect place, the new heaven and earth, the home of the righteous, which will be our eternal home. And, we want others to enjoy that same wonderful destiny with us, but it can only happen by believing in and accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. So we are to bring people to faith in Jesus, and have that same promise of being saved.

            If you want to have the assurance that when that day comes, when the world as we know it ends and is consumed by fire, and that you will have a place in the home of the righteous, then you are invited, once again, to ask Jesus into your heart, to rekindle your heart with love for Him. Jesus will give you that comfort and assurance, letting you know that you are destined to live with Him in His Kingdom, by reminding you that He died and rose again for you; you are baptized into His death and resurrection; and so you are saved. Jesus has already saved you, because He has already done all the work necessary or you to be saved. I will also tell all of you that, even after a period of struggle, my own heart for the ministry God has called me to has been rekindled, and, as I have been able to discern what my purpose as a minister is, my desire to carry out that ministry has been rekindled. It is my hope and prayer, indeed, it ought to be our hope and prayer, that God will rekindle our own desire and passion to carry out His ministry to our communities and beyond. Like John the Baptist, we are called to prepare the way for Jesus, so let’s be prepared to be sent out into the wilderness – the world outside our walls – to get people ready to receive Jesus. Let’s be rekindled – and be recommitted – for our true calling, the one we all have in common: to bring Jesus to people, and bring people to Jesus.

            Now may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.

Weekly Word Podcast from St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Farmersville, Ohio, December 10, 2023 - Second Sunday in Advent

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12/10/2023 Full Worship Service - Second Sunday in Advent

Sermon Text for December 3, 2023 - "Remolded"

 “Remolded”

December 3, 2023

 

            Dear brothers and sisters, grace and peace be to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

            There is no doubt that we are living in a time of change. We’ve probably even noticed – and some of you have even pointed this out – that being in a classroom is different in many ways nowadays than it was back in the day. I even pointed out to the Confirmation students recently that the way they learned how to do Math is different from how I learned how to do Math way back when. There are many other ways and methods of learning that use the resources available now that weren’t available in an earlier time, especially with modern technology. And, a lot of these resources, and especially technology, are things we use on a daily basis: information and ideas are right at our fingertips, and we are constantly being influenced, having our minds changed or molded, by what we read or hear. No matter what age we are, and, whether or not we realize it, we have all sorts of influences which are molding us, influencing us to think and act in certain ways. And, always have to be careful of what we are letting influence and teach us.

            Certainly, this is a challenge, because, whether or not we realize it, we are constantly learning. One thing I’ve learned over the past couple of months is that you’re never too old to learn. You’re never too old to take on a new challenge, and you’re certainly never too old to change and be reshaped. For all of us, it is actually an ongoing process, one that lasts a lifetime. As we grow, we change, we learn, and we even stumble and fall; but when we stumble and fall, God is there to pick us up and put us back on track again. He actively corrects our course when we veer off in the direction He wants us to go. Sometimes, on a pot, there can be a groove or a scratch that gets stuck in the molding process, ruining the shape and design of the pot. In fact, that was the very problem in today’s First Reading from Isaiah: the people of Israel had fallen into sin, and were stuck in a harmful groove – trapped in a continuous cycle and pattern of going against who God wanted them to be. They had become slaves to their sinful, destructive habits, which were destroying their well-being, their relationships with each other, and relationship with God. So, in chapter 64, verse 1, they cried out to God to tear the heavens open, come down, and rescue them from their constantly destroying themselves, and being destined for eternal death. And that’s exactly what He did: He opened the curtains of heaven, and stepped through them Himself, coming down to earth not in a great flashy show of power, but in a small yet equally powerful action – being born in a small stable in a small town, late at night, lying in a manger. It was something, though, that changed history, the destiny of all people, and even the entire world. Jesus then died on the cross to rescue us all from slavery to sin and death, and rose again to win eternal life in heaven for us. He then ascended into heaven afterwards, and has promised to come back to rescue us, and this world, from sin, sadness, struggle, and sickness. Jesus continues to come to us, just as He did at Christmas, in small but meaningful ways. The season of Advent, which we are starting to celebrate today, is not just about waiting for Jesus to come back again in great power, but waiting and expecting for Him to come to us, come into our hearts and lives, in small but still powerful ways. He still does so, and if we recognize what He’s doing, we can experience wonders beyond our imagination. We also pray, along with Isaiah: “O Lord, you are our Father, we are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8) God made us, we are the work of His hand, and He made us for a special purpose: to be like Him, and especially be like Him to other people. 

            We have especially been given the ability to do this, as Paul says in our Second Reading from First Corinthians, being strengthened in our way of speaking and knowledge. We have been given a tremendous amount of spiritual gifts, which we are to use for encouraging others with the promise of the help, power, and rescue of Jesus – as, together, we wait for His coming back.

God is also keeping us strong, to face the challenges of every day. And there’s no denying it: life is a challenge, and every single day brings both the same challenges, and even new ones every so often. In fact, we can say with confidence that we are constantly under attack, and we are at war. We are being continually attacked by the very notion that God is powerless, doesn’t even exist, or we don’t need Him. The reality is, we all still need God. God is still real, still exists, and still is present with us at every time, everywhere. The other great, and comforting thing is, even when we are out of strength, when all our own abilities to keep going, stay positive, or keep moving forward have been spent, God Himself gives us His strength. It is as though we are too tired to keep going, walking down a road, but God comes by in a car, lets us climb inside, and drives us to where we need to get to. We don’t do any of the work: God does it all for us. And that is a wonderful encouragement: nothing we have, whether it is our being saved, or being rescued from sin, God does everything. He already made it possible for us – for you – to have in change in life, and He is offering it freely, because He has already done all the work. If we accept His gift, He will faithfully do what He promises.

            God is always faithful. It’s a fact: God is always there for us. God will never let us down, because He hasn’t yet, and He never will. God is not powerless, but is all-powerful, and will give us strength to the very end. As Paul says, it is because of Him that we have fellowship with Jesus. We’ve been rescued from sin entirely because of Him; we’ve been destined for heaven only because of Him; and we are who we are because God did everything for us. Whatever we need, God loves us, and is always there to help us.

            In just a few moments, we will be receiving Communion together. And you are invited, as you come to the altar, to invite Jesus into your heart again. Invite Him to influence, teach, and mold you, to remove all those things which would keep you from Him, and to bring you back to Him. If there is any part of your life that needs remolding, or if there is anything that needs changing or correcting, ask Jesus to come and remove it from you, and put you in a new direction. If there is some sort of habit, bad groove, or even sin, you’ve fallen into, you believe you’ve become a slave to, that you can’t get out of on your own, ask Jesus to forgive you, and help you to stop doing it – and He will, because He is even more powerful than your sin, and will rescue you from anything. If you feel exhausted or discouraged, and you can’t go on, pray for Jesus to carry you by His strength – and He will. Also, if you need any kind of encouragement or comfort from God, to know that He is there for you and He is faithful to you, feel free to talk with me after worship today, and I will be happy to pray with you. As you eat and drink the real body and blood of Jesus in the bread and wine, you will be filled with the real power of Jesus, which will do things for you beyond anything you can possibly think of. Be open, open your heart and mind, to what Jesus will be doing in you, and for you this week. Be ready for how He will change your life, and show His love for you. Get ready for Jesus to return – by getting ready for Him to return to you now, to remold and reshape you now.

            Now may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.

Weekly Word Podcast from St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Farmersville, Ohio, December 3, 2023 - First Sunday in Advent

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12/03/2023 Full Worship Service - First Sunday in Advent

LCMC Three Days of Prayer, January 2-4, 2024

The annual LCMC Three Days of Prayer are January 2-4, 2024. We are invited to pray in our homes for our church family; communities, especially those in them who have yet to know Jesus; and the mission of LCMC. Suggested Prayer Guides are available on the back table of the sanctuary. More information is also available online at https://www.lcmc.net/three-days-of-prayer.